Now that I have seen the numbers I have to ask: am I right in understanding that you aim to make (essentially) at least an 83% return over the next year? That's with, as you state, a $60,000 account and $50,000 profit goal? But you seem to also be saying the $50,000 is a minimum amount and you want to make "a lot more than 100k" by next November since that's what you make practicing medicine and you want to earn 100% of that by trading.

So it sounds like you're shooting for annual returns of well into triple digits, maybe 250%, maybe more? And you have less than a year of live trading experience?

Not saying it can't be done, and you state that you took $8,000 out of the market in three months earlier this year so it sounds like you've got some chops. But those numbers are rather...ambitious. I mean if you can do that you're probably in the top 1%. You're like the Michael Jordan of traders. So if I'm reading this correctly, well, I'll be very interested in how it turns out.

Most smart people struggle with those same weaknesses, but don't underestimate how difficult they can be at times. You will likely find yourself mainly struggling in two areas:

1) Holding on to losers because you don't want to accept you're wrong. This will turn a small loser into a very large one. (I once lost two weeks of solid profits in about three hours using this fine technique.)

2) After hitting a string of losses, such as two or three in a row (which is not statistically uncommon regardless of your strategy), you will be afraid to pull the trigger on your next setup. Because if you don't enter the trade it has no chance of being a loser. You're not afraid of the money loss (as you said above the money is not the concern), but you are afraid of being wrong, or having to admit that maybe you are not the level of trader you have told yourself you are.

What it takes to overcome the above is to realize that this is a probabilities game, and if you have edge, over time you'll see consistent positive results. It does take time to get there though. You have to stick to your trading plan and take the loss when you said you would, gain from that new information the market gave you, and learn from it. You also have to come to realize that two losses in a row have no statistical bearing on the next trade setup that presents itself. So you have to take the next setup. That said, you also need to consider days when you might be "off" for some reason, and know that you need to step away.

You likely do have what it takes, and can overcome all of the above, but it does take hard work and time.

By the way, a healthy body aids a functioning mind, but you know that.

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My aim is to stay capitalised until Nov 2016 with NO profit goal. Aim is to learn. I know I m still in trading school and may take few years to generate revenue to sustain life. I try Not to focus on money and hence practising with SPY and just 1 & 2 ES lots.

My long term goal is 100k hopefully from 2017 but aware that it may take longer.

I had a 10k trial goal in 4 months this year ONLY to prove to myself that I am not going to be stuck as a break even trader. That seems to be the second commonest curse for newbies like me after deep drawdowns.

In terms of returns, I risked just 50 ES points for my single lot ES swing trade which is technically just 2.5k out of my 50k capital. Even after 4 successive stop hits, its only 20% of my capital. I haven't done the returns calculation but so far happy that I will at least stay in the game longer and hopefully get wiser.

Very interesting topic and good luck. My plan is about seven years, seriously. I call it the seven-year bitch.

How have you worked this out numbers-wise? Are you planning on making 100% of your current non-trading income in a year? How much are you earning now off trading in a month and how do you plan to get to where you need to be in 12 months?

I couldn't look at the journal or plan because i'm not an elite member but had I tried going live 2 years ago I would have gotten absolutely smoked. I am still back testing with Ninja Trader Market Replay Data and Demo accounts on my days off. I am currently in the canadian military and can retire with a pension in 5 years. At that point I should be well equipped with an excellent plan to go live. Even at that point I won't be using my own money. I would rather take TST's trading combine. Maybe after 2 years of success there I will be in an advantageous position to trade my own capital.

Now that I have seen the numbers I have to ask: am I right in understanding that you aim to make (essentially) at least an 83% return over the next year? That's with, as you state, a $60,000 account and $50,000 profit goal?

I have been trading part time for 3 years while learning and collecting statistics for the strategy I use before I choose to quit my job and try full-time trading. I was working as a Lead / Architect, designing security software, firewall, remote access etc for a networking giant in Sillicon Valley. The pay, bonus, RSU's was substantial and quitting the job was the hardest decision in my life. I quit my job and started full-time trading 1 year back.
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Bottom-line is I dont regret quiting my job and leaving the security of a nice paycheck. Eventhou I still dont make nearly enough to replace my paycheck, I am on my way to getting there and more. The important thing is I thoroughly enjoy the process and the journey, gave me an opportunity to follow my passion.